We were engaged by a renewable fuels producer to evaluate the feasibility and financial viability of injecting carbon dioxide (CO2) from biofuel production into deep geologic formations for long-term sequestration under the Class VI underground injection control program.
Our team provided both site-specific and regional geologic evaluations and injection feasibility assessments through reviews of published literature, publicly available geologic maps, type logs and sections, and summary reports to evaluate the potential viability of geologic formations and regional structures. Four terrains — coal beds, deep saline aquifers, deep clastic basin deposits and volcanic rock of the Midcontinent Rift System (MRS) — were identified for potential CO2 capture and sequestration (CCS) implementation.
Multiple subsurface features that preclude the safe implementation of CCS were identified within the immediate study area. Additionally, a review of state well records identified numerous wells — including water supply wells — penetrate through the shallow coal beds within specific areas of interest, which eliminated the viability of this geologic formation for effective CCS.
As part of the project, our analysis also considered population density and the availability of transportation and utility infrastructure.